A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Grand-Bourg vs. Puerto Viejo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Grand-Bourg and Puerto Viejo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo?

Grand-Bourg

Marie-Galante is an island of the Guadeloupe archipelago, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. Sometimes called the "Big Pancake" for its circular shape and flat terrain, the island is a prime location for sugar fields which provide the ingredients for Marie Galante's famous cane juice rum. The island is also known for its many windmills, beaches, and historic plantations.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand-Bourg and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Grand-Bourg is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Viejo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand-Bourg is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Viejo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Viejo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Viejo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Grand-Bourg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grand-Bourg than you might in Puerto Viejo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand-Bourg Expensive? and Is Puerto Viejo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Grand-Bourg as well as Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand-Bourg usually gets less rain in July than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grand-Bourg this time of the year. In the summer, Grand-Bourg often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Grand-Bourg is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Grand-Bourg in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Viejo and Grand-Bourg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand-Bourg throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Puerto Viejo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. It's quite rainy in Grand-Bourg. In October, Grand-Bourg usually receives more rain than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Grand-Bourg. Grand-Bourg usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during autumn. Grand-Bourg gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Grand-Bourg is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Grand-Bourg average around 27°C (80°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

Both Puerto Viejo and Grand-Bourg during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand-Bourg because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Grand-Bourg usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Grand-Bourg. In the winter, Grand-Bourg often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

Grand-Bourg is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the winter. The daily temperature in Grand-Bourg averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Should I visit Grand-Bourg or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand-Bourg and Puerto Viejo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand-Bourg year-round. Puerto Viejo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the spring. Grand-Bourg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Grand-Bourg usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Grand-Bourg gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In Grand-Bourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Grand-Bourg usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during spring. Grand-Bourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Grand-Bourg is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Grand-Bourg in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Grand-Bourg